ZnO and Simonkolleite Nanocomposite Synthesis via Green Chemistry Using Hibiscus Flower Extract

Abstract

In the present work, zinc oxide (ZnO) and Simonkolleite (SK) nanocomposite was prepared using a facile green synthesis route, using hibiscus flower extract. Zinc chloride as starting solution was mixed with hibiscus plant extract. The zinc salt molarity was varied in order to investigate its effect on the synthetized nanocomposite structure. The synthetized nanocomposite were characterized by mean of X rays diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the zinc chloride molarity plays a key role in zinc oxide and simonkolleite nanopowder synthesis. The increase in zinc salt molarity above 0.1M yields to a pure simonkolleite. While, at low zinc salt molarity, the formed nanoparticles are composed of mixture of simonkolleite and ZnO. The thermal treatment causes a partial conversion of simonkolleite to ZnO.

Controlling simonkolleite crystallisation via metallic Zn oxidation in a betaine hydrochloride solution

“…However, this process lacks key environmental and sustainability credentials, which severely detracts from its potential in future deployment; the concerns include: (1) the volatility and corrosiveness of ammonia, (2) the precise pH control reportedly required, and (3) the unsustainable and environmentally-damaging waste stream produced. To improve the sustainability of this method, Aida 23 reports the use of hibiscus flower extract. However, this change is incremental and does not address the high concentration of ZnCl 2 required as a reactant.…”